Flowers in Antarctica | How Climate Change Is Changing Antarctica’s Ecosystem

Even though Antarctica is a cold desert, flowering vegetation grows there during summer. The alarming news is that their growth rate is increasing.

This might surprise you, but carbon dioxide-fueled plant growth predicts a grim future for this desolate continent. For millions of years, only a minuscule fraction of Antarctica’s land area supported plant life. Now, it is changing.

Climate change has started causing warming in Antarctica, baffling scientists. Moreover, temperatures are expected to stay high in the coming years. Either way, the increasing number of plants is a call to look deeper into the effects of climate change on this fragile ecosystem.

Plants growing in Antarctica

Antarctica's dry and cold climate is unsuitable for plant life, more for flowering plants. Perhaps unsurprisingly, only two species of Antarctica flowers are found. In contrast, around 700 species of algae and 100 mosses grow on the continent. 

Antarctic hair grass 

Small tufts of Antarctic hair grass (Deschamsia Antarctica) are found across the Antarctic Peninsula and also on the South Shetland Islands. They are found in coastal flats, mostly in wet crevices on rock beds. The strong root system of the plant allows it to absorb nitrogen from the organic content in the soil.

The growing phase of the grass is limited to summer and it can withstand substantial tramping from penguin colonies and seals. While they lose their leaves in winter, the grass can survive freezing temperatures and strong winds. The mode of reproduction of the species is through self-pollination, assisted by wind.

Recent data have shown that hair grass growth has accelerated in the last two decades. The main reason for that is rising temperatures.

Antarctic Pearlwort

The Antarctic Pearlwort (Colobanthus quitensis) resembles moss and develops yellow flowers. The plant can grow as tall as five centimetres. Interestingly, endophytic fungi have been found inside the leaves of the plants. The fungi may help the plant tolerate the freezing temperatures of the land.

Just like hair grass, the Antarctic Pearlwort is self-pollinated and depends on wind for pollination. Beyond the Antarctic Peninsula, the plant is also found in South American countries like  Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru.

Climate in Antarctica

The weather conditions in Antarctica are special, making it the coldest and driest continent on the planet. The belt of low pressure surrounding the continent gives rise to katabatic winds. These cold, dense layers of air interact with existing pressure systems to reach speeds over 200 km/h.

While the coastal belts receive some rainfall, most of the precipitation is in the form of snow. The average annual precipitation is around 150 mm of water.

Due to the continent’s high latitude, the average annual temperature is about −43 °C and it can get as low as -80°C in winter. The coastal zones are warmer with average temperatures hovering around −10 °C. 

An interesting fact about Antarctica is that the mean thickness of the ice sheet covering the continent is 2.16 km. No wonder the land is severely cold - colder even than the Arctic climate.

Now: studies indicate that the ice loss rate in Antarctica has tripled since 2012, transforming the face of the white continent. West Antarctica is the worst affected region and entire ice basins can vanish in the coming decades.

While an Antarctica travel guide provides general information, eco-travellers need to look deeper to understand the serious consequences of ice melting in Antarctica. With Antarctica warming up, sea levels across the globe will rise - a threatening future scenario if carbon emissions continue unchecked.

Signs of rapid growth in Antarctica flowers

While the greening of a desert might sound good, it is not the same with Antarctic flowers. This is a region where such dramatic changes in landscape are alarming.

Warming temperatures

Scientists have pointed out that the Antarctic Peninsula is among the rapidly warming zones on the planet. Warming has also led to a high growth rate of mosses across the frozen land. In fact, the plant cover on the continent has risen sharply in the last four decades. For frequent visitors to the continent, such changes are more observable.

Accelerated growth rates of flowers in Antarctica

In the past decade, researchers have observed the accelerated growth rate of Antarctic Hair Grass and Antarctic Pearlwort across multiple sites on the continent. Observations through satellite imagery convey a disquieting message - the increased rate of summer warming in Antarctica. This makes it even more important to plan for conservation strategies.

Consequences of rapid plant growth

An increased growth of vegetation and flowers in Antarctica is concerning for the native animals in this vulnerable region. However, we still do not know the full extent of how the biodiversity in Antarctica is changing and more investigations are needed. Then again, collecting data from the hostile terrains of this vast continent is difficult.

Mosses and lichens

Note that the land surface in Antarctica is soil-poor. Mosses can result in soil formation that can result in nonnative plant species- some of which might be invasive- colonising the surface. 

Global transport

The rise of human activity and global trade further increases the risks of climate change in Antarctica. Non-native seeds can “hitchhike” into the continent on ships, clothing, equipment, and even on ocean debris. With rising air temperatures, some of these plant species might start growing on the frozen land.

Invasive species threat

With the organic content in soil rising, there is a higher chance of more plants growing in Antarctica. Since darker plants absorb more sunlight, the speed of ice melting will accelerate. This can damage the fragile marine ecosystems, resulting in far-reaching consequences.

Competition threat

The native species of flowers in Antarctica have remained isolated for over 15 million years. So, competition from invasive species can be a big threat to their survival. Already, the Antarctic krill is facing immense pressure from the effects of climate change. A decline in the krill population will severely affect all wildlife in Antarctica.

Planning your trip to Antarctica

Since the travel season in Antarctica is short - between the end of October to the end of March - you need to plan in advance. Last-minute booking in this peak season will be difficult. 

The next step is to determine your budget as the costs of travelling to this remote destination are high. There is a lot to explore and research is needed to decide the spots you need to visit and the length of the voyage. 

Then, find a reliable Antarctica expedition cruise that offers a curated experience. Consider factors like the itinerary, type of ship, passenger count, and the experience of the guides. Since travelling responsibly to Antarctica is crucial, choose a voyage with a low environmental impact.

Visit Antarctica with Secret Atlas

Secret Atlas takes you on Antarctic Expedition Cruises that allow you to intimately experience the “most beautiful place on earth”. With small group sizes, we ensure that our Antarctic journeys are free from crowds and have the smallest environmental footprint.

Being explorers in our hearts, we strive to offer more than a travel experience to our guests.

Get in touch with us for a life-changing voyage to this amazing land.